31-03-2025
No. 10: Lincoln Yard in Birmingham brought new life to old bus garage
Lincoln Yard in Birmingham takes the No. 10 spot on the 2025 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants & Dining Experiences list for its eclectic offerings and bright, family-friendly atmosphere.
From Union Joints, the hospitality group behind eateries, such as Vinsetta Garage, Union Assembly and Mom's Spaghetti, Lincoln Yard joins the roster with its little sister, Little Yard. The side-by-side establishments come as a twofer: Little Yard, with an all-day breakfast menu, soups and coffee; and Lincoln Yard, offering brunch, lunch, dinner and spirited beverages.
In line with Union Joints' mission to bring new life to old spaces, the project repurposed a former school bus yard for Birmingham Public Schools in the city's Rail District. While Little Yard's menu is concise — there's just a burrito and breakfast bowls, an egg sandwich and avocado toast — Lincoln Yard offers a wider range. For lunch, a sweet olive oil and cornbread loaf is served hot in a cast iron dish with a generous side of hot honey butter with cracked sea salt. The Micro Bus salad nods to the history of the space, pairing crisp baby kale with tomatoes marinated in olive oil and champagne vinegar, pickled celery and crispy curried chickpeas.
There's a dedicated area where diners can gather around a hearth to watch cooks craft wood-fired pizzas topped with rotisserie chicken, Calabrian chiles or fontina cheese. For brunch, housemade brioche French toast is made crispy with a cashew crust and served on a puree of tangy passionfruit curd.
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The hardwood-smoked chicken wings of enormous proportions are the true crowd pleasers.
2159 E. Lincoln St., Birmingham. 248-653-5353;
Save the Date: On Tuesday, May 13, Lincoln Yard, the Detroit Free Press and Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers will host a Top 10 Takeover dinner. Stay tuned for ticket information at
For a chance to win five $100 gift cards to dine at restaurants on the 2025 Detroit Free Press/Metro Detroit Chevy Dealers Top 10 New Restaurants & Dining Experiences list, visit
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Best New Restaurants 2025: Lincoln Yard in Birmingham
